Relating To Education.
In plain English Requires the Department of Education to screen students for dyslexia, provide teacher training in structured literacy, and support teacher preparation programs in teaching literacy instruction.
Official synopsis: Requires the Department of Education to implement dyslexia sensitive linguistically appropriate universal screenings and evidence-based interventions, offer professional development on structured literacy and evidenced-based interventions, and support pre-teacher programs in training candidates in structured literacy instruction. (CD1)
Became lawAct 242, on 07/13/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1344). · 2026-07-14
Relating To Student Transportation.
In plain English Allows the Superintendent to hire a new contractor if a student transportation contractor fails to provide service for five or more consecutive school days, and authorizes penalties for service failures.
Official synopsis: Authorizes the Superintendent to hire a new contractor if a contractor under a student transportation contract fails to provide service on a contracted service capacity or designated service segment for five or more consecutive instructional days. Authorizes the Department of Education to assess a penalty…
Became lawAct 238, on 07/13/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1340). · 2026-07-14
Relating To Insurance.
In plain English Requires insurers to cover fertility preservation services for people undergoing medical treatment that may cause infertility, for policies issued or renewed after December 31, 2026.
Official synopsis: For policies, contracts, plans, and agreements issued or renewed after 12/31/2026, requires insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for standard fertility preservation services for persons undergoing medically necessary treatment that may cause iatrogenic infertility. (CD1)
Became lawAct 218, on 07/09/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1320). · 2026-07-10
Relating To The Department Of Land And Natural Resources.
In plain English Allows the Board of Land and Natural Resources to enter community co-management agreements with qualified groups to manage public lands.
Official synopsis: Authorizes the Board of Land and Natural Resources to enter into community co-management agreements and establishes qualifications for eligible community co-managers. Authorizes the disposition of public lands by a community co-management agreement. (CD1)
Became lawAct 203, on 07/08/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1305). · 2026-07-09
Relating To Cesspool Conversions.
In plain English Creates a loan fund to help homeowners upgrade or convert cesspools, administered by the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority.
Official synopsis: Establishes a Cesspool Conversion Revolving Loan Fund, to be administered by the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, to provide financial assistance, including low-interest or forgivable loans, to eligible homeowners for the upgrade, conversion, or connection of cesspools. Appropriates funds for the establishment and hiring of a…
Became lawAct 204, on 07/08/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1306). · 2026-07-09
Relating To Land Use.
In plain English Prohibits passenger or cargo ropeways in all land use districts, except for government entities with legislative approval.
Official synopsis: Prohibits passenger or cargo ropeways in all land use districts, with an exemption for government entities subject to legislative approval. (CD1)
Became lawAct 172, on 06/26/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1274). · 2026-06-26
Relating To Trade.
In plain English Creates a Hawaii-Ireland Trade Commission within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to submit annual reports, ending June 30, 2031.
Official synopsis: Establishes the Hawaii-Ireland Trade Commission within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism for administrative purposes. Requires the Commission to submit annual reports to the Legislature and Governor. Sunsets 6/30/2031. (CD2)
Became lawAct 180, on 06/26/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1282). · 2026-06-26
Relating To The Hawaii Symphony Orchestra.
In plain English Designates the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra as the state symphony and exempts its state funding from certain financial reporting requirements.
Official synopsis: Designates the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra as the State of Hawaii Symphony Orchestra. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Exempts state funds received by the State of Hawaii Symphony Orchestra from chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes. (SD1)
Became lawAct 098, on 06/05/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1198). · 2026-06-05
Authorizing And Empowering The Speaker To Perform And Carry Out Any Official Legislative Business During The Interim Between The 2026 And 2027 Regular Sessions.
Became lawResolution adopted in final form. · 2026-05-08
Requesting The Center For Nursing To Compile A Comprehensive List Of Recommended Safe Patient Staffing Strategies And Ratios For All Nursing Specialties And Subspecialties Across All Health Care Settings, And To Maintain A Repository For This Information.
Became lawReceived notice of Adoption in House (Hse. Com. No. 891). · 2026-05-08
Relating To Immigration.
In plain English Prohibits law enforcement agencies from entering agreements that allow them to enforce immigration laws, with limited exceptions.
Official synopsis: Prohibits any law enforcement agency or law enforcement official from entering into an agreement under federal law that permits state or county agencies to engage in immigration enforcement. Prohibits law enforcement agencies and law enforcement officials from engaging in certain immigration-related actions, except under limited…
Passed one chamberReceived notice of change in conferees (Hse. Com. No. 876). · 2026-04-29
Endorsing Waikiki As A World Surfing Reserve.
Became lawResolution adopted in final form. · 2026-04-23
Relating To Artificial Intelligence For The Protection Of Minors.
In plain English Establishes safeguards, protections, oversight, and penalties for how artificial intelligence systems interact with minors.
Official synopsis: Establishes safeguards, protections, oversight, and penalties for interactions between minors and artificial intelligence companion systems or conversational artificial intelligence services. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD2)
Passed one chamberReceived notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 810). · 2026-04-23
Relating To Crimes Against Elders.
Establishes strict liability for crimes against elders with respect to the attendant circumstance that the victim was seventy years of age or older. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD2)
Passed one chamberReceived notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 738). · 2026-04-23
Relating To Alcohol.
In plain English Creates a tax of $0.93 per wine gallon on low alcohol by volume spirits beverages and increases small craft producer production limits, expiring December 31, 2028.
Official synopsis: Defines "low alcohol by volume spirits beverage". Establishes a tax on low alcohol by volume spirits beverages at a rate of $0.93 per wine gallon. Increases small craft producer production limits. Sunsets 12/31/2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)
Passed one chamberReceived notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 817). · 2026-04-23
“In plain English” lines are written by ThePolitibase with AI (Claude), from the official synopsis only; the synopsis is the authoritative text. Descriptions are the legislature’s own synopsis. Bill data from LegiScan, CC BY 4.0.